Alcott Hall

Second Sons #3

by Emily Rath

A spicy, smart, standalone “Why Choose” Regency romance set three years after the events of the Second Sons duology from New York Times bestselling author Emily Rath.

The Lady has an offer. The Vicar has a confession.

When her late aunt leaves her a generous fortune, socially awkward Lady Madeline Blaire believes she’s finally found a way out of the high society husband hunt. There’s only one problem. To claim it, Madeline must marry by New Year’s Eve . . . which is now only three weeks away!

Determined to claim her financial freedom, Madeline slips away from her overbearing family and races off to Alcott Hall. Madeline needs a husband. Now. She will be generous, providing him with a comfortable living. All he has to do is agree never to claim his rights as her husband.

Three years ago, Charles Bray left Finchley and never looked back. It was too painful to dwell in the past. So, when duty calls him home, he returns, heart heavy, to a town full of ghosts. Seeking any distraction, he sparks an unlikely friendship with a quiet young lady who makes him a surprising offer too good to refuse.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Why Choose, Audiobook, M M F

545 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 11, 2023

About the author

Emily Rath is a USA Today and international bestselling author whose chart-topping, sex-positive, queer-inclusive fantasy and romance novels include the Second Sons Regency romances, the Tuonela Duet fantasy novels, and the ‘why choose’ Jacksonville Rays Hockey Romances. A former university professor, she holds PhDs in Political Science and Peace Studies. Emily lives with her husband, son, and cats in the Pacific Northwest. She can be found online at EmilyRathBooks.com, on Instagram @emilyrathauthor and on TikTok @emilyrathbooks.

Reviews

[mina reads™️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was fun for a minute but the tedium of the endless back and forth for 500+ pages was just too much for me. Also you cannot convince me these people were in love with Madeline. It felt like so much of the romance happens at Madeline’s expense, the men were so self involved, indulgently self loathing and completely unconcerned with her precarious situation and that vexed me. Things never felt emotionally balanced to me.

Also….Why are all the best scenes in the book the stuff about Rosalie and her men? Don’t get me wrong I loved that quad and it was nice to see them but I felt like the page space was actually needed for genuine bonding and relationship development between Madeline and her dudes. Like the way this is just an extended epilogue for Rosalie and the gang while Madeline languishes in a ridiculous situationship for 90% of the story just didn’t work.

Final critique, in my old age if I don’t give a damn about the main relationship, excessive smut in their book just makes me cringe. I cringed quite a bit here.

Positives:

It was a really quick and engaging read despite the length.

…..that might be all I got.

[Marigold Maybee · Rating 5 out of 5]

With all respect to Julia Quinn (the queen) this is Bridgerton, but make it ✨️spicy✨️

Regency romance will always be several steps on the path that led me to the smut aficionado I am today. I have my favorite books within that genre that I reread when I just need something comforting and familiar, but overall it is very traditional male/female, very typical gender roles. As a cishet white woman raised in a small town in the bible belt by generations raised in small towns in the bible belt, I've spent the majority of my adult life with pliers and prybars and sawzalls, trying to open the mind that was glued shut by the prejudice of my forepeople before I knew differently. It's too easy to be comfortable.

This book, Alcott Hall (yes, I read the last book first), was a breath of the freshest air. The calm, sedate pace of the Regency era combined with bisexual poly romance? Be still my poor, anxious mind. We can rest in the peace of an era where extremely violent, terrible things seldom seemed to happen (unless pivotal to the plot), without feeling the need to constantly be on guard against slipping back into that comfortable, closed-off, hateful space. I'm an Emily Rath fan for life.

AND THIS BOOK HAS LITERALLY SOME OF THE BEST, SPICIEST SCENES I'VE READ IN A LONG TIME. AND THE STORY? PERFECTION.

[🌻Jules Reads it all 🌻 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC READER REVIEW

Alcott Hall is the third book in the Seconds Sons series by Emily Rath. It’s is a beautifully written MMF why choose romance.

We’re re-introduced to Madeline and get to revisit the world of Rosalie, James, Burke, and Tom from Beautiful Things and His Grace, the Duke.

**Technically, you don’t have to go back and read those two books, but I highly recommend it. You won’t be disappointed **

Madeline is a beautiful soul who doesn’t fit into English society standards. She awkward, socially inept, and doesn’t like strangers touching her, but she is quietly fierce, intelligent, and kicks Burkes butt fencing.

I know a lot of us can identify with this character. I really fell in love with her and her journey to take back her own power and live her life on her own terms. She falls for two amazing men who love each other and her in spite of a society that doesn’t accept the way they want to live.

I absolutely adore this book. Emily Rath has become one of my favorite new indie authors. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good Regency romance that is deliciously spicy.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Reader Review
Emily manages to take two (on the face of things) very different romance genre/tropes and weaves a classic story of enduring love, friendship and how those things can free us. The characters of Madeline, Warren and Charles are fully developed individuals, and I felt myself rooting for each of them as they grew into themselves and fell in love. Warren and Charles are that perfect example of the all consuming feeling of young love and desire that never goes away. Madeline learns to stand on her own outside of the "cage" of her privileged life in the Ton, and she comes to her own ideas of what defines love. I knew going in - based on my previous reading of Beautiful Things and His Grace, the Duke - that I would get great banter and comedy, but I wasn't expecting to be moved to tears in later chapters. That speaks to Emily and the love and thought she puts into her characters.
Notes
Reading Second Sons duet is recommended - you won't regret it. See titles above.
Tropes/Tags: regency, marriage of convenience, forbidden "why choose" romance, MMF

[Johanna Hjelm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this as an ARC and read it in one day, could not put it down. It’s a beautiful continuation on the first duo books.
I didn’t give it 5 stars just because I can see where the author wanted to go with Madeline but for me the characters struggles on why she here single before the new challenge fell a little short thru out the story.
But I love the love interests struggle’s and the chemistry of the two MMC. The spice is top notch and had me clutching my pearls.
Looking forward to see more from the world

[ritika · Rating 1 out of 5]

incredibly unnecessary and only worth reading if you love zero character growth and nonsensical plots😍

[Rachel Consoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Lady Madeline Blair learns she could inherit a hefty sum from her late aunt she is overcome with the possibility she may finally be free to make her own decisions for once and finally be free. The catch? She has to be married to claim it and before the year's out which is in less than a month. Even worse, her father wishes to see her fail so he can claim her fortune instead dooming her to forever be a man's possession. Madeline runs away to Alcott Hall to seek out the Duchess, and her best friend, for assistance when she's reunited with a man she once had a spark with and a new man who's as terrifying as he is exciting. Will she be able to pull off this last grasp for freedom and potentially even find real love in the process?

Similar to the first two books in this series, while there are glimpses of Rath's brilliance that she'll later hone to perfection in her JACKSONVILLE RAYS series, this one just didn't fully come together for me. I really loved the premise and am glad it's another 'why choose' trope, but again I found the dynamics are uneven, the relationships felt rushed, and I found the push and pull far more aggravating than fueled by tension. I do enjoy the Regency time period and how that adds a whole host of fresh dilemmas and confusions, it's the kind of plots that would never work or happen in a contemporary romance, so it's a fun change, but it's no excuse for giving me such lackluster character work. And while I enjoyed all the smut scenes, Rath is and always will be excellent in this sphere, if I'm not invested in the relationships it leads me just roll my eyes or sigh instead of getting swept up in it.

It's honestly wild it came out so recently, like only just in 2023, and yet I feel like Rath has just grown leaps and bounds in crafting her relationships, or at least she found the magic sauce in her JACKSONVILLE RAYS. I have yet to read her other two books that are unrelated to that series so I'm interested to see if it's all her work or just my hockey men that hold my heart. While I did enjoy this series, I just found it lacking in a lot of areas and it hindered some of my enjoyment. It's still smutty fun, and clearly others enjoyed far more than me as it's the highest rated of the series, but I just know she's capable of crafting such better relationships and I felt this plot deserved more for how promising of a concept it was. I still recommend as I do all her books, romance is super subjective so what doesn't work for me may work for you, but this was just not as good as I hoped.

SPOILERS FROM HERE ON

I LOVED the beginning of this book and the premise, the rush to marriage so Madeline can claim a fortune and be set for life and free from the shackles of her controlling father? Hell yes, get it! It's also hysterical how desperate she is that she proposes immediately to her damn cousin, who's rightfully horrified, and then rushes to Alcott to propose to Renley, who's not even home from sea yet, and then even freaking Burke. TBH I didn't realize that Rosalie hadn't told her about her situation, or Madeline hadn't guessed, but she very quickly figures it out and it's kind of hilarious, though obnoxious that Burke has to very rudely rebuff her first and both of them indignantly say no on Tom's behalf, very possessive this bunch lol. I immediately remembered from last book meeting sweet angel Charles Brey so I knew he'd be one of her suitors, but we also met John Warren immediately on her journey who proceeds to take her first kiss forcibly and then make fun of her for never having traveled on her own and not quite knowing what to do, so immediately those were her suitors. And then Charles's dying uncle made a reference of 'you can't be back here, don't go to him' and I was like gay??? And of course meaning Warren, so that's our setup, very strong, very exciting.

I loved Charles and Warrens dramatic backstory. Charles has only ever been with Warren, as he's training to be a vicar (basically a kind of priest, but I just kept thinking of Joey finding Rachel's dirty book in Friends lol), and only loved him, but his uncle caught them and kicked Warren out of their house and forced Charles to leave knowing he'd just fall back into 'sin' if he stayed. So he leaves without a word breaking Warren's heart and this is his first time back in like three years I think, and tbh his uncle was right because Warren IMMEDIATELY comes to find him and they immediately fuck. Warren is far too possessive for me, but I get in this case it's partially out of fear of losing him again and in disbelief that he's back, so it's kind of rushed and rough, but hot.

And I LOVED that Rosalie immediately is like, omg Charles is a perfect husband for Madeline and Burke asks this horrid, invasive questions at dinner, much to James horror who didn't know about the plan. And then the next damn day Madeline proposes to Charles and explains the concept, even saying if he wished it to be a marriage in title only that'd be fine with her, and it's SO hot that Charles is like, hell no if we're getting married I want a real marriage, you'd be mine and they have a hot make out which Warren RUDELY interrupts, I'll come back to that in his section. Warren calls her on her shit being like, don't you dare trap him in this sham marriage for her sake, only after he kisses her stupidly, but it's mainly because he's jealous. And then he gets all possessive over Charles IN ALCOTT and of course, James catches them. Also hilarious, I freaking love James. And he straight up says, without explicitly saying, what his situation is with Rosalie and their boys and how if Charles is openminded they could have even more than he ever dreamed, even offering him the vicar position in their town so he can stay. Literally this was less than halfway through the book and I was like...ok so this is legit so easy, this is the obvious answer, and yet this is unfortunately where this book went off the rails for me.

The clear, obvious answer is spelled out for us above, so to keep the damn book going we have to have this aggravatingly long bullshit, fake drama to keep it going. Charles can't marry Madeline because he's in love with Warren and it'd be unfair to her. But jokes, she also has feelings for him and when she finds out they have feelings for each other she's not only all right with it, but is super turned on by it. Charles cant stay in Finchley because Warren's here, but jokes they're in love with each other and want to be together and both want Madeline. They have nothing to offer her, but the whole point of Madeline marrying is to get this hefty fortune where she won't need her dowry and can tell her father to fuck off so she doesn't care they're poor. But also apparently Warren's older bro died so actually he's the heir to his father's fortune and titles despite being a bastard, but he doesn't want it, but it is an option. Like straight up, bullshit after bullshit excuse that's not a real excuse just to prolong unnecessary drama instead of actually crafting these relationships and SHOWING them legitimately fall in love. All they do is have sexual encounters, fight, more sex, fight, sex, and fight, over and over again, I was SO irritated! And the damn kicker? Charles is wracked with this religious shame from his uncle who told him he'd go to hell and homosexuality is a sin and it's why he couldn't be with his love for all these years, when JOKES he not only had a secret gay lover for ages, but he was a fucking reverend LIKE WHAT A HYPOCRITE! I get that's the point, but this fucker couldn't have told him this ages ago?! And he only found out by reading letters, which he explicitly told him not to so he may have never known the truth, good lord.

Then there's Warren. If I thought Burke was obnoxious, Warren is the exact same if not worse (side note, Burke is just as annoying as a side character, never subtle about his possessiveness over Rosalie despite how they try to keep up appearances, disliking Charles only because Rosalie flirted with him ONCE in book 1, straight up saying her baby was his, refusing to leave to try and help/find the doctor (unlike angel Tom) and making poor Charles do it because he's too selfish to not pretend to be martyr by her side, this man is so annoyiinngggg, ugh needed to be said). Warren is very quickly rude, domineering, and possessive, but they just laugh it off like, ha ha, that's Warren, like?!?! NO! He takes her first kiss AND fingers her, the first without her permission, but she kisses him back so I guess she liked it??? I just do not get his appeal. They're also another 'fated to be' couple, like on first meeting there's this electricity and he's obsessed with her. Every time they're together they just paw at each other and they're like 'I've never felt this way' but truly WHY?!? It's never explained, it makes no fucking sense, I do not get it! Zero work was put into their relationship other than they're both attracted to each other, he's huge, and he just takes what he wants, but that's apparently a good thing?! What pisses me off is he has ALL the sex scenes! The kisses were equal at first, but then it's just everything with Warren, even the Charles moments are with him, but he also gets moments with just Charles and just Madeline, where Charles gets nothing by himself, how is that fair?! I had the same issue in the last two books that it's so heavily one-sided in content and it's always with my least favorite love interest so it's just such a bummer. The fact Warren gets two solo sex scenes with both of them is kind of fucked up. And even more obnoxious, he's insanely possessive and needs to be the center of their universe, he's so needy. So he has the opportunity to inherit his father's titles since his bro dies which would put him at equal station of Madeline and marrying her would make that even easier, but he doesn't want that. He says he'd do it for her, obviously, but he hates his father and doesn't wish to inherit his titles, he likes working and is a great groundskeeper. He says it makes the most sense for Charles to marry Madeline and then they could all be together, which is what they all want. But then the moment they officially propose, this fucker has the GALL to act hurt and left out by it. Like...wtf?! THIS WAS LITERALLY YOUR IDEA! He's all, oh you'll be married and I'll just be here. Same with a fight they get in earlier, he's all, 'you only want me for sex' but to be fair...he has done nothing to prove their relationship is deeper than that, so wtf do you want from them?! And then how can he be upset with them for doing EXACTLY what he wanted them to do?? At every turn he just annoyed me more and more and even his sexy moments just made me eye roll. It was never deeper, he just took and did what he wanted, but I'm supposed to view that as exciting? No thanks. NOW Warren did have a shining moment by quite literally saving Rosalie's life. Long story short, her second baby is breeched during a snowstorm and they can't find her doctor, but since Warren literally has delivered animals before, he's the best option they have to help turn the baby so Rosalie can deliver without bleeding out and it's basically because of him she even lives until the doctor shows up. So I'll definitely give him his flowers here, that was awesome.

Charles on the other hand is a whole different issue. Obviously I prefer him from the jump, he's darling and such a good person, but can turn up the heat when he wants to. I don't blame him for not initially wanting to marry Madeline because it's so rushed and he doesn't want a fake marriage and thinks it'd be unfair to say yes to her when he has feelings for Warren. And then he's petrified what she'd say if she found out about them, but the fact she immediately is like, 'there's nothing wrong with love' and he isn't like, marry me now, like wtf are you waiting for?? Also James has that incredible convo with him so early and is like, life doesn't have to be so close minded, if you're willing to trust you can open yourself up to a whole lot more (also James's example of giving Rosalie whatever she'd want pretty much comparing her needing a pineapple in winter to also wanting two other men, cracked me the fuck up). But he very clearly hinted that there was more in it for him too and he's happier than he ever dreamed possible and again this happened SO early in the damn book! But still Charles remained obstinate for so damn long, it was so annoying! And for what?! And then once it was clear all three of them were into each other, it pissed me off when they'd pair off and the third wasn't thought of. Especially because it'd always be Warren and Madeline or Warren and Charles, it's always Warren, he's so fucking selfish, wtf?! And they'd always be like, 'I'm yours, I'm yours, no one elses' but clearly that's not freaking true!! Just talk about it a different way! And I was SO irritated Charles and Madeline didn't have more moments without Warren because I loved those two, they had by far the best dynamic and so much promise. Like when he's all, 'if we get married it won't be fake, you'll be fully mine,' that's so hot! Or when he saw her with Patrick (her cousin) and immediately freaked out at how familiar they were and was very, 'that's my woman back the f off,' I love that! I did love that Charles was the one who stood up to Madeline's shithead father and called her his wife and proposed to her without Warren, I'm so grateful for that because they needed those moments. But yeah, it's annoying they didn't get more smut of just them. I really just loved the concept of this book, but instead of having the whole plot be Charles running away from what he really wants, have them actually try out being together and then bring Warren in. And again, Warren shouldn't get all the solo moments, it's bullshit and unfair.

I did like all three of them together though, I won't lie. Even though Warren is the first one to finger her, I'm glad Charles is her first penetrative sex, it just felt right. Especially since Charles had never been with a woman before so I loved that this was really new for both of them. I kind of wish they figured this out on their own, but Warren being more experienced and coaching him through it to make sure she'd have as good of a time as them was hot. Also him saying she needs to take Charles first because he's not as big as Warren made me laugh a lot. I won't lie, I love that Madeline and Charles get sandwiched at different times, it's hot and the multitude of different, creative positions these three get into are funny. I also appreciated anal prep was actually discussed here as opposed to the last two where they're all conveniently gungho for it. I enjoyed that Madeline was not only a legit virgin, but a Regency era virgin who knows straight up NOTHING at the start of this book so every experience is very new for her and the boys take that into account to make sure she's all right, loved that. I am surprised how shy Rosalie is about discussing it with her though. Like I get that it's that time period and ladies don't speak this way, but Rosalie is far from shy and often acts as a big sister to Madeline, if she can't tell her who the heck else could?! She of course does, and I'm grateful Madeline has another woman to openly speak to, but yeah it surprised me how coy she tries to be.

I also did appreciate how much the quartet from the last two books are involved with this, very similar to Rath's others series, so I love that. Renley isn't in this nearly enough and most of his section is him feeling cooped up due to the storm and wanting to play around. It's an incredibly dumb excuse to get them to practice fencing and Madeline shows she's actually quite good and almost beats Burke, much to my enjoyment, until Rosalie goes into labor. I also forgot Rosalie named her first baby after James's older brother George, as per his request, but as she's a girl her name is Georgina, so cute. And we, as said above, have another traumatic pregnancy which I knew she'd be fine because I'm pretty sure the last book's epilogue was with Rosalie's third baby, but still it's a lot. What's with Rath and these horrifying pregnancies!? Unnecessary! But I still enjoyed seeing them even though it only solidified my feelings that James is the best guy and Burke is just as annoying as ever.

Overall, I love Rath's writing so I still had a lot of fun, but with the uneven dynamics and construction, I found this one even more annoying than the last book. The smut is good, but I think it really could've been better if more time was given to properly develop these relationships. Also no more 'lust at first sight' 'fated to be', I freaking hate that trope, it's just so fucking lazy. Think of ANY other reason for people to fall in love, I beg of you. Still a fun time, I'm glad I read it, but her Rays series just remains her crowning jewel and I'm unsure anything else will come close.

[Karin Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for madeline, rosalie, james, burke, and tom.

idk, im neutral on charles and warren. it really felt like madeline's the third party here she sorta was, at least in the first half. when they decided the three of them to try to be together, it frustrated me bc of the push & pull until the end. i understood their dilemmas but to let it continue up to 90% of the book?! we didnt even get to know how the hell warren got his scar.

ngl i enjoyed madeline's scenes more with rosalie, james, burke, and tom than with her men.

and please, just bc someone is a daughter of a peer doesn't automatically give her the title "lady". madeline is a viscount's daughter. "lady" can only be used by wives of peers and daughters of earls, marquess, and dukes.

[Chantal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very lucky to yet again get an ARC for one of Emily's books.
Alcott Hall did not disappoint in continuing in the Second sons series of the Emilyverse.
I love Madeline, Warren, and Charles all for different reasons and feel they balance each other out very well.
I love how well Emily writes the different POV's and I can hear their voices and personalities shine in their chapters.
I love the slow burn, the yearning and stolen touches.
The slow realization as each of them discovers what Rosalie and her boys have and that maybe they can have something like that too.

I hope Emily keeps writing in this series. I'm still hoping for a George story and absolutely hope Patrick gets one too.

[Camila T 🍉 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of an amazing, steamy, funny, all encompassing and thrilling regency romance trilogy.

This is all I wish for in a good reading: good pace, great plot, leaves me feeling all the feelings and with a smile on my face.

We started this series with a destitute, and end up with two marriages and a whole bunch of great stories to tell their kids and grandchildren, some tear-jerking - of all the emotion or just from laughing so much- and some that’ll make you feel proud for them, angry with them, and called out by them 🫠

Anyways, the author always has a way to write what I want/need/love to read, so it’s a given it would be all the stars from me :)

[lived_athousandlives · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. Could. Not. Put. This. Down.

Loved every minute of this book. Emily has the ability to weave her characters together so beautifully.

The dynamics were set up so perfectly. Second chance for two of them and new love with the other.

Madeline is forced to flee her toxic family to take control of her life. She needs a husband. Fast. Or she’ll lose out of having a say in her own life.

Charles is back at Finchley to see his dying uncle. Back in the town he ran from…near the love he ran from.

Warren is done with being left. Done with not being chosen.

The push and pull between these characters was so good. 🤌

The angst, the yearning, the adorable awkwardness…sighhhhh. I already want to reread it.

[Lety Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be freee. Spicy 🥵

[Elizabeth Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in return for a fair review.

Never mind me, I'm just here to swoon. This was a fantastic return to the world we met in the Beautiful Things duology, and had all the spice and angst you could want in the world. In my perfect world, the book would have been longer and we would have had more of a slow burn to love between the characters, particularly in between the heroine and the heros (there's a smidge of instalove here), but that's a personal preference on my part. All in, Emily Rath has pretty much earned a spot on my insta-buy list.

[Kaalatzvya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun NSFW romance. Well written.

[Hollee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madeline has been a joy to read about! Regency era often was and is known for very little agency for the women of the time. I loved how Emily wrote this to flip that on its head. She was actively being a participant in securing her own future regardless of her families plans for her. The romance and spice is fantastic but I really love how Emily writes her relationship and interactions between her characters and the growth they go through individually and as romantic partners.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: Alcott Hall (Second Sons, 3)

Lady Madeline Blaire learns that in order to inherit her Aunt’s fortune, she must marry in three week’s time. With the deadline approaching, Madeline must find a man to marry who will also grant her autonomy and freedom. Could her ticket to financial freedom lie within Alcott Hall?

Madeline’s social awkwardness has not earned her favor amongst eligible suitors nor social circles. Luckily, she has a lifelong friend in Rosalie, now the Duchess of Norland. I loved seeing Rosalie and her men in the time period set 3 years after the events of His Grace, the Duke.

Tropes:
🧑‍🧒‍🧒Multi-POV
💕Why Choose Regency romance (MMF)
🤭Shy FMC
🙋🏻Sweet Vicar
🙋🏻‍♂️Possessive Game Warden
🗞️A marriage contract
🧣Cozy Christmas vibes
👀“Show me”
🌶️: open door

A dutiful daughter of a Viscount, Madeline was sheltered but is curious, kind hearted, and clever.
On her way to Alcott, she meets the dashing John Warren. He’s proud of building a humble life for himself but still nurses a broken heart and fear of loss.

Charles Bray is conflicted, fighting between his desires and religious upbringing. When he returns to the hometown that he hastily fled from temptation, he faces some difficult choices—including an unconventional offer of marriage.

Can Madeline, Charles, and Warren navigate their longing for love despite their class differences and societal expectations?

Alcott Hall is an irresistible Regency romance standalone where our Mary Bennett coded FMC chases her HEA with not one, but two MMCs!

Huge thanks to the author, Kensington Books, and Netgalley for the review copy opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Suz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to give this book every star in the Milky Way.

Madeline Blair, Charles Bray, and John Warren own a piece of my soul now. The love in this story is palpable and beautiful. It’s a heartwarming tale of three people finding their way in a world that doesn’t support them. That fights against them, tooth and nail. They fight back, though. They fight for everything they have, and you want to fight right there with them.

I laughed more times than I can count. I squealed entirely too loud (the pineapple scene had me screaming). I cried (more than once). I actually laughed WHILE I cried (the row boat - iykyk).

Honestly, what I enjoyed most about Alcott Hall was how these characters felt for one another. The way they protect each other. The way they are willing to do anything for the ones they love. It’s honest, deep, and raw. I couldn’t put it down.

Also, I love John Warren with my whole chest.
I just needed that in writing somewhere in this world.

Every time I step into the EmilyVerse, I know I’m in for a treat, but this one was a whole cake.
And a tub of ice cream.
And a side of cookies, for good measure.

The way Emily Rath writes queer characters speaks to my very soul. If you haven’t had the pleasure of reading something by her yet, do it. Stop hesitating because it is worth every moment. It will change something in your brain chemistry, and you will come out the other side better for it.

In case I haven’t said it enough, I loved this book. It gets an entire galaxy of stars out of 10 from me.
It’s perfect.

[m · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first historical why choose romance and I find myself wondering why they all aren’t written this way. 🤔 The range and depth of emotions! THE DRAMA! The spice! The secrecy! I ate this up and it was delicious.

It was so empowering watching Madeline take charge of her life and forge her own path and not only help Charles overcome his shame/guilt over loving a man but also help Warren see that he isn’t always a second choice or disposable. 🥺 Madeline makes a comment along the lines of: we have to make sure this arrangement works for us, because we’re the ones who have to live with it and I just love that message of living and loving for yourself and not basing your life off of other people’s expectations. ❤️

This is book 3 in a series but can be read as a standalone if you don’t mind spoilers. There is a summary of previous events in the intro.

Also it’s mentioned in the content warnings but I’ll reiterate: there is graphic, on-page birth trauma. I mostly skimmed over it and don’t feel like I missed much but it’s something to be aware of if that’s a trigger for you.

Thanks to the author for the ARC - all opinions are my own.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

I loved this book so much I had to stay up all night to finish it. It was great to get back to a familiar place with familiar characters but getting to know Madeline and Charles and Warren, and their chemistry with each other was so lovely….and Very Hot.

Madeline may seem meek but she knows what kind of person she is and what she wants from life. Circumstances lead to some hurt and frustration but I love that she takes charge to get what she wants and deserves. Charles and Warren have intriguing backstories that pull you along and getting into their heads was sometimes heartbreaking but these men love so hard. The dynamic between these three was perfection.

A lot of the time it’s hard for me to get invested in interconnected stand-alone books, I usually love the OG couple too much to get invested in the other characters. But this one…I absolutely love Rosalie and her guys but I simply can’t pick which I prefer. Both stories truly stand on their own and it’s impossible to not fall for these characters.

[Sanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was super spicy, so consider yourself warned! 😮‍💨😅

Even though this one can be read as a standalone, I loved getting more of the Duke & Duchess, along with Burke and Tom, they play such a big role here, and I laughed so much throughout!

🫠 The main trio, Madeline, Charles, and John, were absolutely amazing. I really enjoyed this book, even if it was somewhat expected since it follows the familiar Why Choose reverse harem Regency romance style with FMM+MM dynamics.

I’d definitely recommend reading the previous duology, Second Sons, before diving into this one, it makes the whole experience even better.

[Katelyn Rozenbroek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just want to immerse myself in this world that Emily creates and stay there. The characters and the world she designs is captivating and heartwarming. Returning to Alcott Hall was the best way to start the year!

We learn more about Madeline, who was first introduced to us in Beautiful Things. Although she is shy at first, she develops into a strong woman determined the escape the demands of her family.

There is a second chance romance, in which both Warren and Charles have to overcome the hurt of the past and society’s expectations.

Not only is this wonderful story about our three main lovers, but we also get reunited with James, Burke, Tom and Rosalie. Their dynamic is just as amazing as every and it was great to continue to know these characters as this series continues to grow.

Of course, in true Emily fashion the spicy scenes are perfection. 🌶️

[Hannah Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madeline Blair! The timid little wallflower who is friends with Rosalie in the 1st 2 books. I was excited to see how her story unfolded, and I was not disappointed. The fact that the corbins were still very much poignant in the book made me so happy. I loved Charles and Warren, and they were perfect for Madeline to find her voice and become a stronger person. I was giggling and smiling throughout, and that ending had me in tears. Emily Rath really can not. write a bad book, and I loved this series in its entirety.

[Jillian Blizzard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this one is my favourite of the Second Sons series. I loved Madeline, Charles and John! Their relationship unfolding was fun and hot. I laughed at the antics of Burke trying to help them along. The throuple scenes were 🥵🥵and the pace of the book was much quicker than the first two in the series (less of a slow burn which was nice). Emily Rath is someone I will always read because she immerses you in the world so thoroughly that a 500+ page book flies by.

[Chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madeline was one of my favorite characters from the original doulogy. And her story did not disappoint! I absolutely loved it. All 545 pages of it. It's also good because I get another MFM romance. It really works for Madeline and the guys. It's not accurate to the regency era, and there's modern language, but I still enjoyed it. It was light and sweet and spicy. Exactly what I needed for being stuck in the house because of this storm.

[Sai Fighter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 5 star smut book and a 3 star regular book.

Characterizations were incredible inconstant and there was so many potential plot points and themes that the author decided to not follow. Charlies and Warren were incredibly under developed. And you know what, there were too many sex scenes.

Mr. Burke is an agent of chaos and I love him.

Won't be going back and reading the other books.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing! she’s done it again!

Ms ma'am has done it again and I am deceased!
The boys deserve so much love and comfort I just want to wrap them up in a soft blanket and give them pat pats.
And Madeline! Watching her grow was absolutely amazing.
This entire book was so freaking good it should be illegal.
The little twists and surprises. Just " and the suspense!
That one chapter with Rosalie! STRESS
What happens in the cabin stays in the cabin...and the hothouse...and the forest..and that one room 💀🤣

[Ashley Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a fun read it’s my favorite from the Second Sons series. John Warren was my favorite and I wish we had gotten a little more time with him especially about the scar on his face they didn’t really finish that up. I wish the author would come out with a book about Olivia next, it could be an interesting story!

[Mariana Martens-Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

dr. emily rath can do no wrong in my eyes. seriously, at this point i think i’d enjoy reading her grocery lists 🥸 i have no idea what crack she’s lacing these books with, but i’m now making a humble request that every regency romance is a why-choose regency romance. they’re just that fun.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐